Kuala Lampur:A total of 300 scientists will be visiting 300 schools nationwide as part of the STI 100³ Year 2026 Programme, beginning today, with the goal of promoting a culture of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and encouraging students to pursue fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has announced that this initiative is in strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT). The programme aims to increase the participation of professional technologists and technicians in Malaysia's national STI ecosystem.
Scientists will be paired with schools based on their areas of expertise and will engage in a variety of STI cultural activities. These activities include knowledge sharing, student interaction, and demonstrating real-life applications of STEM.
The programme aspires to inspire students to consider a career in STI, which is crucial for Malaysia to achieve its high-tech nation status and to develop an innovation-driven economy.
MOSTI highlights that this initiative is designed to serve as a catalyst for encouraging more students to pursue STEM fields, thereby ensuring a sufficient talent pool to energize the national STI ecosystem.
The Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Datuk Chang Lih Kang, emphasized that the programme aims to bring the expertise of scientists, technologists, and technicians directly to schools. This exposure is intended to spark students' curiosity, build their confidence, and broaden their understanding of STEM-related studies and career opportunities.
"This effort is focused on building STI talent capable of creating, mastering, and leading future technology. The programme is expected to support the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) to position Malaysia as a country that produces and creates technology using homegrown talent," he stated.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) recorded 86,384 STEM job offers through online job advertisements, indicating ongoing demand in this sector within the national job market.
The STI 100³ 2026 Programme was officially launched on August 18, in conjunction with the MBOT Experts Network in Technology, Innovation, and Cooperative Event (ENTICE 2026). This initiative also aims to strengthen cooperation between MOSTI, the Ministry of Education, MBOT, the scientific community, and schools in expanding STI culture and STEM exposure.